US Supreme Court denies Virginia Democrats' redistricting appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rejected Virginia Democrats' appeal regarding its redistricting map, which voters narrowly approved in a referendum last month.

Virginia Democrats filed an emergency appeal Monday after the Virginia Supreme Court struck down the state's redistricting referendum last week, ruling that the legislative process in which the referendum was created was unconstitutional.

The high court did not give a reason for the rejection, but the request for a stay was presented to Chief Justice John Roberts.

The Democrats urged the high court to take up its appeal because it revolves around what they claim is a question of federal law — the definition of “Election Day," even though the state constitution is usually left to the state Supreme Court. 

Other states are also entering the redistricting fight after the Supreme Court ruled last month that Louisiana's second majority-black congressional district relied too heavily on race and was therefore an unconstitutional gerrymander. 

Georgia and South Carolina this week called for special sessions of their state legislatures to discuss new congressional maps, though Georgia's maps would not take effect until the 2028 presidential election.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.